October 16, 2008

I’ve had this Hawaiian appliqué block hanging around for 9 years, ever since DH Dana and I went to the Big Island. I got a pillow kit in a little quilt store there. I remember swapping out the background for something from my stash. The pattern was all cut out and ready to sew. I did all the stitching, and there it went into the UFO stack.

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It’s been kicking around so long that I don’t even remember the name of the pattern… I think it’s Breadfruit. Anybody? Anybody?

Dana was so taken by Hawaii and its culture that about three years ago he started studying hula at the Hula School of Santa Cruz. He absolutely loves it. The halau (school) is coming up on its 10th anniversary and they are planning a huge ho’ike (hoedown) in celebration. The students are holding lots of fundraisers to be able to pay the musicians that are coming over from Hawaii.

So, a couple weeks ago I pulled out my block and decided to finally make it into a pillow. I can’t claim to know much about Hawaiian quilting, but I do know that you’re supposed to do echo quilting in succeeding rounds to recall the waves of the ocean. I gave it my best shot.

Yesterday I sent Dana with the project down to Round Robin Fabrics here in Santa Cruz to get a Hawaiian print for the back. He and Robin had a great time picking something out and they did a great job.

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I completed the quilting, cut out two pieces for the back, and finished the pillow envelope style, stuffing in a pillow form.

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Now the cat hair has been removed and the pillow is hermetically sealed in a plastic bag for delivery to the halau, to go in a raffle basket or as a door prize.

This is why it’s nice to have a little stack of UFOs. :)

Until next time,
Kay
Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs

Comments

4 Responses to “Hawaiian pillow”

  1. Karen on October 19th, 2008 6:00 am

    Yes I think it is Breadfruit and it looks wonderful!

  2. Barbara Bieraugel on October 19th, 2008 2:29 pm

    The pattern is of a torch ginger. And it is very nicely done. It is nice when we finally get something done out of that UFO pile.
    Barbara

  3. Kay on October 20th, 2008 3:40 pm

    Thanks Karen and Barbara! I’m so glad to hear that I did the Hawaiian appliqué justice. It sure is fun stitchin’ that way.

    Kay

  4. Karen Guerra on October 17th, 2010 3:52 pm

    I agree with Barbara. It’s torch ginger, not breadfruit (ulu).